Charlie is getting more than he bargained for in dating Mia, who is trying to take full control of his life to turn him into the kind of man she wants him to be. Charlie tries to continue indulging his vices in private.
Tropes
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Some of the things Mia is trying to remove from Charlie's life are genuinely destructive, like smoking cigars, drinking alcohol, gambling, and staying out all night. Others are less severe but still worth at least cutting back on, like eating meat, sugar, grease, and fat. But some are just petty, like napping, swearing, wearing shorts, and wearing bowling shirts.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Charlie fought like hell to get Mia to date him, regardless of how obviously uninterested she was in him. And now that he managed to win her over, she's immediately started forcibly cutting all the vices out of Charlie's life.
- Henpecked Husband: They're not husband and wife, but now that Charlie is going steady with Mia, she's taken complete control of his life and is cutting anything even remotely negative out, and Charlie has to hide his indulgences behind her back. Berta remarks that it's depressing to see Charlie, of all people, become whipped.
- I Can Change My Beloved: Mia wants to completely remove pretty much all of Charlie's vices from his lifestyle and replace them with a vegetarian diet and strict exercise.
- Rage Breaking Point: Charlie has finally had enough of Mia trying to change him when the two are on a date at a vegetarian restaurant and she tastes meat on his breath when they kiss. He stands up and starts ranting about how men weren't meant to live a vice-free life, and that he's done allowing her to dictate what he can and can't do.
- Wet Blanket Wife: While some of the things Mia is forcing Charlie to cut back on are understandable and good for him, others are much less sympathetic, and certainly portray her as an unreasonable nag.
